“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2Jo 1:9 AV)
The phrase “the doctrine of Christ” is often seen as ambiguous. But is it? The word ‘doctrine’ is not hard to understand. A doctrine is an absolute truth that results in consistent principles and decisions based on that doctrine. A doctrine is fundamental. It is unalterable. The word ‘Christ’ means anointed. That being, that Jesus is the anointed Savior and Messiah of the world. Putting these two together, someone not abiding in the doctrine of Christ would be someone who professes Christ and LORD and Savior, but then leaves the faith permanently. This would not be someone who had doubts and questioned their once firm faith. This would be someone who claimed to be saved as some point, and then denies the faith in differing ways. The most obvious is the first qualification. The person that denies the person of Christ by rejecting His authority manifesting his or her rejection by habitual sin does not truly know God. This is becoming more common as Christ tarries His coming.
There is an all to common attitude among modern churches today. That being, we are to accept and tolerate professions of faith regardless of how weak or unfounded they may be. This may not be in the best interest of the individual. One of the benefits of being in a wealthy, industrialized country is the excellent health care available to most. There isn’t a better nation on the planet to get health care. The cancer of which my wife suffers almost always goes undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed for decades. She has Neuroendocrine Cancer of the small intestine. This cancer is rare. Not too many are familiar with it. It often is diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. Only by the hand of God was it discovered. Several radiological techs as well as two GI specialists missed it. What was on our side was her primary physician, who insisted on follow-up tests. After at least a half-dozen CTs over a three-year period did a tech who knew of NEC correctly diagnose her. It was all that follow-up testing that saved her life. Not willing to accept her situation as normal or minor, the doctors assigned to her case gave her life. What that meant was a critical mind willing to entertain and confront the uncomfortable, so healing could result. That is what we are to do with all we meet.
Yes, bringing up the genuineness of another’s salvation is not a comfortable conversation. We are often accused at being judgmental. Too bad! I care more about your soul than your friendship! You can hate me in eternity. I’m ok with that. I would rather you get offended enough to bring into question whether you really are saved, get saved, and join someone else’s church than to allow you to live a lie that results in your damnation. I am sure you will forgive me as we fellowship around the tree of life in the midst of new Jerusalem. Those in our passage above, at one time, abode in the doctrine of Christ. They professed Jesus Christ as their Savior. They went to church. They fell at an altar. But then something happened. They got out into the world and discovered sin was more fun than it was consequential. They discovered the pleasures of sin for a season. They lost any and all interest in the things of God, going so far as to deny the very God that bought them. Am I supposed to sit back and say, “Oh, well. Too bad. Onward and outward, I always say. There are other fish to catch. After all, I don’t want to offend them. They just might return.” No, they won’t. Not unless someone calls them out on their rejection of that which they once professed. Enough is enough! It is time for the faithful to be bold with the truth. Someone’s soul depends on it!
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